| To conclude this section may we just add that | | | | self-centered desires |
| Newton's subjects emphasize strongly that God | | | | |
| is never once seen in the higher realms, | | | | 5) Death of sleep |
| although a strong feeling of a Supreme Power | | | | |
| is felt ruling the ongoings of devachan, or | | | | 6) Death of the physical and etheric bodies |
| "heaven," and the kinetic motion of magnetic | | | | |
| streams of energy flowing in the atmosphere | | | | 7) Death of the astral body |
| and environment. This truth denounces certain | | | | |
| religious beliefs that in heaven one would | | | | 8) Death of the mental form |
| finally see God face to face--for while on | | | | |
| earth one may not see God's face and live, | | | | We will briefly describe each one: death to |
| one would surely behold God's countenance in | | | | higher realities and verities, and the death |
| heaven. This principle has been | | | | to higher awareness of divinity are related. |
| vmisunderstood and misinterpreted for the | | | | This is in fact the involutionary path of the |
| past two thousand years; it should actually | | | | soul as it descends for the first time in a |
| be understood in a mystical rather than in a | | | | new cycle of manifestation, or "manvantara." |
| literal manner. It reminds us of Gautama | | | | In involution the soul loses a certain |
| Buddha's silence when questioned about | | | | awareness only to regain it with an |
| God--the implication of his subtle answer | | | | enhancement during the Path of Return. Most |
| revealing a profound truth to the initiated. | | | | souls prolong this period of ignorance and |
| | | | awareness of higher multidimensional truths |
| Summarizing the scientific viewpoint on death | | | | by their own free-will. |
| and the afterlife--based on years of careful | | | | |
| psychical, parapsychological research--the | | | | Death of one's slumber in matter is the |
| following conclusions have been reached: | | | | awakening of the soul's aspiration to |
| | | | spiritual possibilities--paradoxically, it |
| 1) That humans are essentially immaterial in | | | | could also mean being spiritually |
| nature and that the human essence, or | | | | unconscious; this is followed by the death, |
| self-awareness, survives physical death. | | | | or transcendence of the false ego and its |
| | | | expressions in the movement within the |
| 2) That human soul-units exist at | | | | evolutionary spiral. The death of sleep |
| differentiated levels of awareness in | | | | occurs every night as the soul takes flight |
| dimensions beyond the physical | | | | to subtle worlds. Death of the physical and |
| light-spectrum, beyond the reach of physical | | | | etheric bodies occur when one leaves the |
| sensory perception. | | | | present incarnation for the astral world. |
| | | | This is followed by the deaths of the astral |
| 3) That contact with departed souls is a | | | | and mental forms as the soul rises higher and |
| possible feat under certain conditions and | | | | higher to rest for a period in the causal |
| circumstances. | | | | body before preparing to reincarnate. |
| | | | |
| 4) That all human soul-units periodically | | | | Knowledge of the nature of death and the |
| re-embody or reincarnate to continue their | | | | other worlds are important subjects for every |
| evolution. | | | | metaphysician. As said earlier in this paper, |
| | | | in the course of one's metaphysical ministry, |
| 5) That all re-embody according to the law of | | | | one would often encounter individuals in |
| causation, or karma; or soul desire. | | | | bereavement requiring comfort and solace. |
| | | | Equipped with a higher understanding of the |
| DISCUSSIONS | | | | nature of death and the purpose of life, |
| | | | metaphysicians are in a better position to |
| As we have seen in the previous chapter, | | | | enlighten humanity, and to fulfill one of |
| death according to the various traditions, | | | | their functions as ministers. To Catholics, |
| metaphysical experiences and modern | | | | administering the "Extreme Unction," or the |
| scientific discoveries, does not annihilate | | | | last sacrament to the dying may be considered |
| the human soul; and relationships formed on | | | | vital. But to the metaphysician, much more is |
| the physical plane do not cease at the | | | | required to guide the soul through the dying |
| termination of one's incarnation, as is | | | | process. With the appropriate knowledge and |
| normally believed; also, one's aspirations, | | | | occult ability, the metaphysician may assist |
| goals and ambitions, though simply and | | | | souls in making a more meaningful transition. |
| seemingly cut-short prematurely at a stroke | | | | Deathbed-rites of an occult formula and |
| of the scythe by the grim reaper called | | | | design, taking the bardo into consideration, |
| death, is actually brought over to the | | | | are needed by those engaged in the |
| Otherside for a further strategic development | | | | metaphysical field. |
| that would bloom in a later incarnation. We | | | | |
| have also seen that the nature of death and | | | | The importance and purpose of life should be |
| the afterlife can be known to those who are | | | | appended and stressed in those rites as a |
| willing to develop the necessary sensory | | | | lesson not only for the departed, but for |
| faculties of the astral form and its ability | | | | those who are left behind. An experience of a |
| of soul-flight. Additionally, we have dealt | | | | loss of a beloved one through the portals of |
| somewhat of the nature of heaven and hell, | | | | death on the part of grieving and confused |
| including the Judgment, from the various | | | | individuals should be looked upon by |
| metaphysical, religious and scientific | | | | metaphysicians as opportunities for the |
| perspectives. We have described and hinted of | | | | sowing of the seeds of truth into their |
| some of the ways and means of avoiding those | | | | receptive consciousness. Metaphysicians as |
| undesired experiences, states and conditions | | | | farmers in the vineyard of truth should play |
| to be found in the bardo, and even in the | | | | their part perfectly. By offering various |
| lower astral. Non-attachment to the physical | | | | truths concerning the nature of death-truths |
| form and earthly life is helpful in the | | | | that are rational, logical, helpful and |
| process of a peaceful and easy transition, | | | | spiritually stimulating--we improve the whole |
| and in a smooth journey through the | | | | image of the metaphysical ministry in the |
| bardo--this ought to be kept in mind. And | | | | minds of the public. The more metaphysicians |
| lastly, with the descriptions by subjects of | | | | have to offer to the public as to occult and |
| NDEs and communications from the beyond | | | | esoteric knowledge and as to the expressions |
| concerning the death process, we can be | | | | of their high psychism, the more will the |
| assured that dying does not have to entail | | | | public's awareness be stirred and lifted to a |
| any mental, emotional or physical agony; on | | | | higher plane of consciousness. Metaphysics as |
| the contrary, it may result in one of the | | | | a synthesis of religious, spiritual, |
| most joyful states that average souls may | | | | philosophical, and scientific truths has the |
| experience at its present evolutionary level. | | | | capacity to offer what traditional forms of |
| It provides a certain pre-taste of what the | | | | religion, science and modern philosophies are |
| nirvanic state is like when once the soul is | | | | incapable of offering--that is, real help. |
| liberated and fully aware of its divine unity | | | | |
| with All That Is. | | | | SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS |
| | | | |
| Humans may fear death, but "being dead" is | | | | In the Introduction of this paper we |
| actually the present state of awareness of | | | | presented the purpose and the need of why |
| most people. To be unaware of one's higher | | | | this subject had to be written and |
| microcosmic principles is simply a | | | | discussed--of the importance of its place in |
| consciousness of death. What separates the | | | | the metaphysical ministry as well as its |
| seen from the unseen is the level of one's | | | | influence upon the individual and society as |
| waking consciousness, and the psychological | | | | a whole. This purpose was again stressed in |
| impurities within one's subconscious mind. | | | | the previous chapter. In order to organize |
| There are several components in the microcosm | | | | our thoughts regarding the subject, we |
| making up what we call the divine, human | | | | formulated several themes that would be the |
| being. The more components we are aware and | | | | basis for the structure of our paper. Our |
| conscious of, the more alive we become in the | | | | fundamental themes consisted of the |
| spiritual sense. Non-experience of the higher | | | | following: |
| principles and realities do not mean that | | | | |
| they do not exist, it is just that the | | | | 1) The survival of personal consciousness |
| faculty for higher perception has not yet | | | | |
| been developed. Fear is what closes the veil | | | | 2) The process of transition |
| to spiritual knowing. When we fear, we | | | | |
| circumscribe our consciousness. Fear of the | | | | 3) The nature of life after so-called death |
| unknown, is the ignorance of the source of | | | | |
| our fear. Identification with mortal | | | | The structure of our findings and of this |
| principles simply perpetuates (or | | | | paper, was based upon four perspectives: |
| perpetrates?) one's mortal existence as a | | | | |
| normal human being--and it also maintains | | | | 1) Religion/mythology |
| one's fears. We are meant to be perfect--as | | | | |
| advised by the Piscean Master--perfect in | | | | 2) The occult tradition |
| consciousness, in knowledge, and in | | | | |
| awareness. Attaining immortality, or | | | | 3) Tibetan Buddhism |
| awareness of such, requires the shedding of | | | | |
| mortal concepts, beliefs, attitudes and | | | | 4) Parapsychology |
| feelings. With such spiritual labour we | | | | |
| gradually build the link between the lower | | | | From each perspective, we initially dealt |
| and higher principles and ensure the | | | | with the basic themes from a certain point of |
| continuity of consciousness, and the | | | | view, but ended up with the same findings, |
| awareness of the illusory nature of death. | | | | the same conclusions, and the same cosmic |
| With each extermination of a false concept we | | | | truths; nevertheless, among the above |
| become more alive in a spiritual sense. | | | | perspectives, there is still much to be said |
| Death, "the last enemy," as declared in | | | | about religion as a whole that has somewhat |
| scriptures, though inevitable, will be | | | | misrepresented the spiritual truths as taught |
| swallowed up in victory when once its | | | | by their founders. We are certain, though, |
| maya-nature is understood and the continuity | | | | that every metaphysician would research into |
| of consciousness acquired. Death will then | | | | this subject sooner or later as it is |
| lose its sting. Death ends when once the | | | | mentally and spiritually rewarding. In years |
| multidimensionality of one's being is | | | | to come "death" will be a time of celebration |
| realized, and when once one's liberation from | | | | and not a time of mourning as it is now. |
| the wheel of reincarnation is attained. What | | | | |
| we call death is an illusion. This is echoed | | | | Finally, in the fifth chapter, we discussed |
| in the words of the Taoist poet, Chuang Tzu: | | | | on humanity's basic psychological |
| | | | problem--that of senseless fear. We have seen |
| "Birth is not a beginning, death is not an | | | | how this fear robs man of his or her true |
| end." | | | | life as a divine son or daughter of God |
| | | | living an abundant life in the here and now. |
| Fear simply robs individuals of their | | | | We have also briefly discussed how the |
| physical, emotional, mental and spiritual | | | | elimination of the fear of death would |
| energies--energies which could be used for | | | | transform the individual and society as a |
| more constructive and creative purposes. When | | | | whole. |
| enlightened of the nature of death, like | | | | |
| Socrates, we will not fear it; and this | | | | To sublimate and transcend this fear |
| knowledge, understanding, and enlightenment | | | | condition that overwhelms society we suggest |
| would greatly help humanity to live an | | | | that additional research be conducted into |
| abundant life, as promised by Master Jesus. | | | | along the lines of soul-investigation, and |
| Like a chain effect, the awareness of the | | | | into the many other principles of the bardo |
| non-existence of death and the truth of man's | | | | process not discussed or discovered by |
| purpose for being would improve the quality, | | | | Tibetan Lamas. Ways of researching into this |
| nature, and service of every governmental | | | | should be conducted in a scientific and |
| department and institution, affecting | | | | intuitive manner, though this may not always |
| society's consciousness, development and | | | | be through conventional methods. Researchers |
| welfare. But to return to the emotion of fear | | | | should not fear probing into the invisible, |
| ingrained in Man, there are several | | | | into the immaterial, or into the abstract. |
| principles that assist one to "die" without | | | | Through research within a single avenue, |
| fear: | | | | other possibilities will present themselves. |
| | | | An answer to a single question begets many |
| 1) Non-attachment to physical form, earthly | | | | more questions, ad infinity; thus humanity |
| possessions, and relationships. | | | | progresses. |
| | | | |
| 2) Understanding that death is natural and | | | | Bibliography |
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| | | | |
| 3) Preparation through spiritual practices | | | | Bailey, Alice 1972 A Treatise on White Magic. |
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| | | | Barrie, Donald C. 1991 You Need Not Age Nor |
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| | | | England. |
| From a higher perspective, death is no enemy. | | | | |
| It is a merciful friend that grants us rest | | | | Budge, E.A. Wallis (Trans) 1953 Book of the |
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| experiences. What is important is the | | | | Dying, The. Samuel Weiser, York Beach, Maine. |
| assimilation of experience, for if it does | | | | |
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| again and again until the lesson inherent in | | | | Books Ltd, Dorset, England. |
| each one is learnt by the soul; this can | | | | |
| sometimes prove to be wearisome. Life on | | | | Drolma, Delog Dawa 1995 Delog: Journey to |
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| and space, or as a chemical formation spawned | | | | |
| by chaotic forces. Life is Real, is the only | | | | Evans-Wentz, W.Y. (ed) 1975 Tibetan Book of |
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| purpose. Soul-objective is known to the | | | | Lauf, Detlief Ingo 1989Secret Doctrines of |
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| the process of birthing. | | | | |
| | | | Lodo, Lama 1987Bardo Teachings: The Way of |
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| of the mind; thus transcending the state of | | | | |
| mediocrity or mortality. Mortal beings are | | | | Ma`sumian, Farnaz 1995 Life After Death. |
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| or face the conditions of death, they thus | | | | |
| miss the true opportunities that life | | | | Newton, Michael 1995 Journey of Souls. |
| affords. When one fears death, one has not | | | | Llewellyn Publications, Minnesota. |
| yet begun to live. "Death" to average | | | | |
| individuals, is always thought of in | | | | Poe. Lori M. 1995 Journeys to Worlds Beyond. |
| connection with other people and never their | | | | The Place of Light Publisher, Cincinatti, |
| own. This refusal to be spiritually-aware | | | | Ohio. |
| bind souls to an unproductie life in the | | | | |
| cosmic scheme. This is the complaint of all | | | | Ramacharaka, Yogi (Year not given) Life |
| mystics concerning the sons of men. In the | | | | Beyond Death, The. Yogi Publication Society, |
| Old Testament we read, | | | | Chicago, ILL. |
| | | | |
| "Man lies down and never rises. They rouse | | | | Rinpoche, Bokar 1993 Death and the Art of |
| not from their sleep." (Job 14:12) | | | | Dying, Clearpoint Press, San Francisco, CA. |
| | | | |
| From what we have said so far, it may be | | | | Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima 1991 Bardo Guidebook, |
| surmised that there are various forms of | | | | The. Ranjung Yeshe Publications, Hong Kong. |
| death, and this is true. St. Paul hints of | | | | |
| this when he declared, "I die daily" (I Cor | | | | Saraydarian, Torkom 1993 Science of |
| 15:31). We tabulate the forms of death in the | | | | Meditation, The. Aquarian Educational Group, |
| following: | | | | Sedona, Arizona. |
| | | | |
| 1) Death to higher realities and verities | | | | -- 1983 Cosmos in Man. Aquarian Educational |
| | | | Group, Sedona, Arizona |
| 2) Death to a higher awareness of divinity | | | | |
| | | | Swedenborg, Emanuel 1958 Heaven and its |
| 3) Death of one's slumber in matter | | | | Wonders and Hell. The Swedenborg Society, |
| | | | London. |
| 4) Death of the false ego and its carnal, | | | | |